Beech Tree News Network

Court turns down recycling grant and free piece of equipment on 3-2 vote Butler County Fiscal Court met at the Butler County Courthouse on Monday, March 11. All magistrates attended: Stevie Givens, Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant.  

Old Business

Frank House of Woodbury addressed the court concerning funding for a recreational trail grant for Woodbury. The grant is an 80/20 match for $250,000. According to House, citizens in Woodbury purchased approximately 50 acres of land around 1995 and paid for it one hot dog at a time through fundraising efforts. The grant would provide a one-mile and three-fourths trail that could be used for walking, running, mountain biking, a parking lot, water fountains, and a 0.4-tenths ADA-compliant "Story Book Trail."  The fiscal court voted 5-0 to provide fifty percent of the grant application's maintenance, in-kind labor, and monetary contribution.

Emily Hathcock from BRADD shared an upcoming Mini-Summit to be held on April 9 at the Cave City Convention Center.

The court tabled the Ky Pride Fund Recycling Grant after a lengthy discussion about whether the county wanted free equipment. The vote was 4-1, with David Whittinghill voting nay.

Deneatra Henderson, Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce president, asked the court for a donation for the Green River Catfish Festival. The court approved $5,000 payable upon receipts presented to the Court.

The court increased Corey Raymer's hourly pay from $17.02 to $18.50. Raymer runs the Butler County Recycling Center.

The only bid for courthouse lawn care, by Thomas' Lawn Care, was accepted by the court. The court also asked Judge/Executive Tim Flener to supervise the lawn care and services. Last year, lawn care cost $15,000, with ALC paying about $ 4,900.

Butler County Jail presented the proposed jail budget for the court to review.

The court unanimously approved the following:

--Bills and transfers

--Transfer $35,000 from the General Fund to the Jail Fund

--Transfer of ARPA Lost Revenue Funding to General Fund

--Monthly Treasurer's Settlement

--2nd Reading and adoption of Budget Amendment #2 $393,819.58

--Jail Sally Port door opener replacement

--Amend policies and procedures to include new E911

The court held a called meeting on Tuesday, March 19, at 9:00 am at the Butler County Courthouse. All magistrates were in attendance.  

Old Business

The court turned down the 2024 Kentucky Pride Fund Recycling Grant, which would have given the county a free piece of equipment and an advertising budget, by a 3-2 vote. Dillon Bryant, Stevie Givens, and Kevin Phelps voted nay, and David Whittinghill and Allen Smith voted yes.

After returning from a closed session, the court approved placing an employee on leave without pay while undergoing an investigation into illegal activity.